[All dialogue translated from the Ukrainian]

Gavril: Hey, guys. I got sold! I need to get dressed to go with my new owner.

Foma: Is that good or bad?

Edik: When do they cut your balls off? Will they do it right now, before you go?

Gavril: My owner wants me with balls. That’s why he came so early to check us out. He spent most of the time asking me about the books I’ve read and where I’ve traveled. He seemed more like a teacher than someone who wanted to buy me.

Kiryl: Do houseboys have to read books?

Foma: Yeah! that’s strange. There are men who like sex with little boys. Is he one?

Gavril: I don’t think so. He only touched me twice all the time we were together. He grabbed my balls and asked me if I knew that they had to be cut off someday. He let go as soon as I said I did. He put his hand on my shoulder when he said that he was buying me. That’s all.

Edik: I’d have sex with him if I got to keep my balls!

Gavril: Well, maybe you’ll get your chance. Just remember to be on your best behavior if someone asks to see you. Obey everything you’re asked to do. I’m sure happy to keep my balls for a while. Maybe I can think of some way to keep them forever.

Foma: How long to you have before you have to leave? I’m going to miss you.

Gavril: Mr. Kolenikov said that the guard should bring me to his office in about a half hour. That would give enough time for all the paperwork. Then I go home with my new master, Mr. Robbins. (He starts to get dressed.) My new owner just seemed lonely. He wants someone to talk to.

Foma: Anyway, that’s what he said. I hope he’s good to you. I hope I get a master who’s kind.

Edik: I want one who doesn’t cut my balls off. I don’t care what else he does!

[The door opens and the guard steps inside.]

Guard: Edik, we have a customer who wants to see you. Get undressed and let’s go!

Edik: That’s great. Maybe I can keep my balls too. (He runs to the far bed and starts throwing his clothes on it. Kiryl goes with him to his bed. Foma and Gavril watch him get undressed without saying a word. Edik leaves with the guard, smiling and looking very happy.)

Foma: Well, I sure hope Edik gets to keep his balls for a while. He’s so worried about it. He just needs to accept that it’s going to happen. I think I’m ready. When the time comes, they’ll be cut off whether I’m ready or not. Once you’re sold as a houseboy….

Gavril: (Quietly to Foma, so that Kiryl can’t hear.) Don’t let Kiryl know, but there’s no customer here. The doctor came today to cut our balls off. Edik is first. Kiryl doesn’t need to worry about it until it happens. You know that it will. Be brave. (He hugs Foma.)

Foma: I wish I could keep mine for a little longer, at least, but I knew they’d come off soon. Thanks for giving me a bit of a warning. I won’t let on to Kiryl. (Gavril continues dressing and the boys continue chatting. Kiryl comes over to join them….)

[About 10 minutes later the guard opens the door again and motions toward Gavril]

Guard: O.K. Gavril, time to go with your new master.

Gavril: (Hugs Foma) Goodbye guys. I sure hope I see you again. I hope you both get good homes with kind masters.

Foma: Bye, Gavril. Good luck. I’ll miss you. I hope I see you again.

Kiryl: Bye.

[Gavril and the guard leave and the door is closed. Foma lies back on his bed and stares at the ceiling. Kiryl goes off to watch television again. About 30 minutes later, the door opens again, and the guard enters.]

Guard: O.K., Kiryl. The buyer thinks that Edik may be too old and he wants to see a younger boy. Get your clothes off and I’ll take you down for him to look at.

[Kiryl stands up and begins to take off his clothes. Foma gets up and walks over to the guard. He leans closer and whispers in his ear.]

Foma: I know that the doctor is here to castrate all of us. I’m ready for it and I won’t struggle when my time comes. It’s just that I’d like to masturbate one last time before my balls are cut off. I haven’t since I was first sold, and it’s been nearly two weeks. I didn’t want the other boys to know what they’d miss once their balls were cut off. Can I do that after Kiryl leaves?

Guard: Of course you can. Don’t hurry. You’ll have plenty of time. Just wait until Kiryl and I have left.

Foma: Thank you, sir. I’ll be undressed and ready to be castrated when you come for me. I wish it didn’t have to happen, but it does. I won’t fuss at all.

Guard: I know you won’t. You’ve been a very good boy, Foma, helping the other boys as much as you could. I’ve really appreciated all that you’ve done. I know you won’t be like Edik. He started screaming and struggling the minute we got to the surgery. It took two of us to subdue him so he could be castrated. He’s in bed now, sobbing over his lost balls.

[Kiryl, now completely undressed, comes toward the door.]

Guard: O.K., Kiryl. Let’s take you down for your examination. (The two of them leave)